Slim pickings for Fourth of July celebrations around town. Fireworks available just over a 30 minute drive. (Photo posted to Flickr by Epic Fireworks)
Coming up this Friday is 4th of July. I can’t wait for my family’s annual backyard barbecue and lounging in the pool (Fingers crossed Tropical Storm Arthur doesn’t put a damper on this year’s festivities).
This year, I was looking in what there is to do in and around Southborough to celebrate. The pickings are rather slim:
- Shrewsbury offers a 4th of July carnival, but without fireworks. They will have a decorated bike and carriage parade, face painting, inflatables, games, and more.
- Northborough’s Free Library offers a drop-in craft activity, where children of all ages can make their own red, white, and blue rocket on Thursday, July 3 from 9:30 a.m – 4 p.m.
I couldn’t find any neighboring towns that offer fireworks on the 4th. Of course there are some options a bit further afield. The most famous – the Boston Esplanade at 9:30 p.m. Northborough Patch has everything you need to know about travelling into the area.
However, I did find some fireworks just over a 30 minute drive:
- Patriot Place in Foxborough offers fireworks at 9:30 p.m. on July 3rd, in the parking lot. (preceded by a kids fun run, 5K, and 10K race. Read more here)
- Milford will set off fireworks at 10 p.m. on July 3rd (rain date July 5)
- Bellingham will celebrate with fireworks on July 4th at 9 p.m. at the Blackstone St. Complex
- Worcester offers fireworks on July 3rd at 9:30 p.m. at East Park
Of course, our town’s big summer celebration is Southborough Summer Nights. The scheduling (first late June, now for past few years late August) reflects the fact that so many families aren’t around mid-summer. (This year it’s scheduled for Saturday, August 23rd – mark that down!)
But for those residents who are here this week . . .
How do you like to spend 4th of July in/near Southborough?
Do you have any tips for the rest of us on area attractions? Or are the best celebrations in your own backyard?
Share your plans for Friday.
Sudbury has one of the best parades around, lasting usually a minimum of an hour. It starts at 1pm. You can check the town website for the route but it comes down (don’t know the street name) to the lights in front of the TJMaxx and turns left onto Route 20 then turns left again at the light in town after the Dunkin Donuts and goes up that street. I am not sure how far it goes but again you can check the website for the town – or the police. We go every year. Bring a chair or blanket and a bag for candy. Also bring a couple dollars for the Shriners Boot drive with some of the fire fighters. I hope we don’t get rained out this year.